A feature in electronic musical instruments that allows you to change the sound after pressing a key by applying additional pressure or movement.
Originated in the 1970s with digital synthesizers, combining 'after' with 'touch' to describe pressure applied after the initial key press. The term emerged as synthesizer technology evolved to enable more expressive playing techniques.
Aftertouch revolutionized electronic music production by letting musicians add emotion and vibrato after hitting a note—something like how a violinist can shake their finger on a string after bowing—making synthesizers feel more like real instruments!
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